PS 3503 
.R53 C8 
1914 
Copy 1 



lO PLAYS EXCHANGED. 



nHCR'5 CDIT15N 
or PL71Y3 

Cupid's Partner 



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COPYRIGHT. 1889, BY WALTER H. BAKER & CO. 



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TlIP A M A 7nN^ Farce in Three Acts. Seven malea, five fe- 
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CUPID'S PARTNER 

I 

^ A Comedy in Three Acts 



By 
GLADYS RUTH BRIDGHAM 

Juthor of "^ Case for Sherlock Holmes,'' "^ 

Regular Scream,'* ^^ Leave it to Polly," 

'^The ^ueen of Hearts,'' ''The 

Turn in the Road," "-"'Ring- 

Jround-a-Rosie," etc. 



BOSTON 

WALTER H. BAKER & CO. 

1914 



CUPID'S PARTNER 



CHARACTERS 



Sybil Harlow. 

Pansy Harlow, Aer sister, six j/ears old. 

Helen Freeland. 

l^Z:i%T.ir' \ H'ref or, college ^rls. 

Muriel Austin. 
Mrs. Freeland. 
Mrs. Jardine. 
Mrs. Mulcahey. 
Eva Mulcahey. 
Dandelion Mugg. 
Miss Hill. 

An extra waitress and a cashier may be employed in Act IL 
Plays About Two Hours. 



SYNOPSIS 

Act I. Mrs. Freeland' s room in Mrs. Mulcahey's lodging 

liouse. 
Act II. Dent's Japanese Tea-room. Valentine's Day. 
Act 111. Same as Act I. Two hours later. 




Copyright, 19 14, by Walter H. Baker & Co. 



m7A\m 

A>0 / 



Cupid's Partner 



ACT I 

SCENE. — A plainly furnished sitting-room ; doors ^ R. and c. ; 
door at c. is half open ; a table a little at the right of room is 
covered with painti?ig materials and valentine hearts. 

(Pansy Harlow, holding a large doll by the arfns, is doing 
tango steps.') 

Pansy. There's not enough spring to you, Rosamund. 
You must go way over this way, and then way back. 

(Beatrice Montfort and Ethel Richards look in at door 
C, then enter.) 

Ethel. Pansy, you blessed child, what are you doing ? 

Pansy. Teaching Rosamund to dance, but it will be a long 
time before she can tango. 

Bea. I guess that's right, although, goodness knows, she is 
limp enough to learn the fish -walk. Where's Sybil ? We've 
been up-stairs pounding on your door. We thought you and 
she had gone for a walk. 

Pansy. No, she's been working here all the afternoon, 
'cause the light's better here than it is in our room. She's got 
her work all ready to send away and she went down-stairs to 
ask Mrs. Mulcahey for some boxes. See all her hearts ! Ain't 
they be-au-tiful ? {Points at the table. ) 

Ethel {sitting down by the table). They certainly are. 

Bea. What are they ? Valentines ? 

Pansy. Yes. 

Ethel {taking one np). Why, here's Muriel ! 

Pansy. Yes, she painted all the girls in different kinds of 
hearts. Here's you in a glad heart, and Eva Mulcahey in a 
loving heart, and Pm heart's ease, and isn't that Sybil ? 

{Hands a heart to Ethel.) 



4 CUPID*S PARTNER 

Ethel. Yes, and a splendid picture of her, too. 
Pansv. I knew it was ! She said it wasn't any one in 
particular, but 1 knew it was her ! Oh, dear ! 

{Begins to cry.) 

Ethel. Why, dearest, what's the matter ? 

Pansy (sfi// crying). Don't you see it's a sad heart ? I 
don't want S-S-S-Sybil to be a s-s-s-sad heart. 

Bea. Don't you feel that way, Pansy. It doesn't look a bit 
like Sybil. I can't imagine why Ethel said it did. 

Ethel. Nor I, now 1 com^ to look at it again. 

Pansy. You're just saying that to make me feel better. 

Bea. If you think Sybil is a sad heart, you must ask Cupid 
to fix things up for her. 

Pansy. Who's Cupid ? 

Bea. The little god of love. He works for St. Valentine. 

Pansy {with interest). Does he? What does he do, 
Beatrice ? 

Bea. Oh, St. Valentine sends him around on errands of 
love,: making sad hearts glad. 

(Pansy looks thoughtful for a minute, walks across the room 
and carefully places her doll on a chair.) 

Ethel. Your imagination is excellent, Bea ; I don't wonder 
that you hold a star position on the Review. 

Pansy {walking to door c). I'll find Sybil and tell her you 
are here. 

Ethel {calling after her). Say, Pansy, will any one care if 
we wait here ? Whose room is this ? 

Pansy {looking back from door). Oh, no ! The girls all 
come here any time. This is Mrs. Freeland's room. \^Exit. 

Bea. Freeland ? That's the name of that little star of the 
freshman class. 

Ethel. Yes, Helen Freeland. She might be a senior for 
all the fuss they make over her. It's no use, Bea, money 
counts. 

Bea. From what I have heard of her, she is trying to make 
hers count in the right way, I should think. 

(Helen Freeland passes door, comes back, looks in^ 
hesitates, enters.) 



CUPID*S PARTNER 5 

Helen. I beg your pardon. Could you tell me which is 
Miss Austin's room ? 

(Helen is about seventeeti. She looks even younger. She is 
richly dressed. Her movements are quick. She speaks 
rapidly and is brimful of life and very much in earnest.) 

Ethel. Her room is on the floor above but she isn't in. 
She works in Miss Dent's tea-room every afternoon. 

Helen. Yes, I know. I saw her there early in the after- 
noon but I thought she would be back by this time. 

Ethel. No, she doesn't get through until six and it is 
usually seven or later when she comes in. 

Helen. And then tries to study all the evening, I suppose, 
after working all the afternoon. And there's buttons to sew 
on, and stockings to mend, and letters to write ! Millions of 
things Hke that to do if you haven't the money to hire it done. 
When does she have any fun ? 

Ethel {smiling slightly). Miss Austin came here, I think, 
for an education without much thought of the fun. You are 
Miss Freeland, aren't you ? 

Helen. Yes. And you are Miss Richards. 

Ethel. And this is Miss Montfort. 

Bea. {shaki?ig hattds with Helen). I'm glad to meet you, 
Miss Freeland. 

Helen. And I'm so glad to meet you both. I'm new here, 
you know, and you can give me some advice. Do you know, 
I came here thinking that Hereford was a golden dream, but 
there are things in connection with college that seem dreadful 
to me. I never had to work a minute in all ray life. I never 
had to comb my hair if I didn't feel like it. I've been the 
silliest, most useless being, and all the girls I hr.ve ever known 
have been the same kind. Well, since I have been here, I've 
met girls who are working themselves to death for the privilege 
of going through Hereford. Now, they are the oncf; who are 
capable of great things and ought to be leaders here, but they 
aren't at all. They never have time for anything. Some of 
our class have formed a little club and we are going to try to 
see what we can do to give these girls an equal chance with 
the others. 

Bea. I admire your courage. Miss Freeland. You cer- 
tainly have a splendid object to work for, but it's rather a 
stupendous task that you have set yourselves. Have you any 
idea how you are going to start in ? 



6 cupid's partner 

Helen. Not the slightest.*' Each of us has some girls to 
look up, and Miss Austin is on my list. Oh, if we could only 
interest some of you older girls. 

Ethel. We are interested and we are starting a movement 
if not exactly like yours, certainly similar, and if we can join 
forces and help you, we will. 

Helen. Oh, joy ! Could I write Miss Austin a note ? I 
won't wait for her. L would rather talk to you before I do 
anything more, but I can find out when she has a little 
leisure time. (Ethel hunts among the thi?igs on the table, 
finds a pencil and some paper and fia'nds them to Helen.) 
Thank you. {Sits at table afid writes rapidly as she talks.) 
You girls didn't come here on the same errand as I, did you ? 

Bea. In a way, yes, but it isn't Miss Austin. It's another 
girl. 

Helen. I see. Well, I'll leave this note with the girl who 
let me in. (Rises.) And now may I come to see you to- 
night ? 

Bea. Certainly. 

Ethel. Glad to have you. 

Helen. Wasn't it splendid that I should find you here? 
Good-bye. [Exit, c. 

Bea. (laughing). Well, talk about angels ! 

Ethel. Her wings rustled all right. She's an energetic 
child to say the least. I would like to have kept her here to 
talk to Sybil. 

Bea. (^looking at the hearts). What a host of hearts ! 

Ethel. Yes, and think of the hours of work they represent. 

Enter Sybil Harlow. 
Sybil. Hello, girls ! 
(Sybil is a delicate looking girl and dressed iji mournifig.) 

Bea. Hello, dear ! 

Ethel. Sybil Harlow, look at this pile of work and look at 
your face ! White as a sheet ! You are working yourself to 
death. 

Sybil. Oh, not so bad as that. 

Ethel. Yes, it is as bad as that. 

Bea. We have come, Sybil, to talk to you and to talk very 
nuich to the point. 

Sybil. Go ahead, but pardon me if I go on with my work. 

(Sits at table and begins to arrange hearts in boxes.) 



cupid's partner 7 

Ethel. Oh, yes! Please work! You wouldn't look 
natural if you didn't work. 

Bea. Sybil, we don't want to interfere with your business. 
You know how much we care for you, don't you ? 

Sybil. Ves, girls, I do. If I didn't, I can assure you that 
you wouldn't know where I am to-day. 

Ethel. That's just what we want to talk to you about. 
Sybil, you were one of the most popular girls in our class." 
There are dozens of girls who feel terribly because you disap- 
peared the way you did without a word. Why do you persist 
in hiding from your friends ? 

Sybil. Girls, I will tell you the truth. At the time my 
father died and I was obliged to leave college, another sorrow 
came into my life. One that made me distrustful of every 
one ; made me feel that I wanted to hide from every one I had 
ever known. I have fought it out, however, and I am begin- 
ning to see how wrong I was. Before long I will let you tell 
the girls I am here. 

Bea. And you will come back to your class and finish 
your course ? 

Sybil. No, I cannot do that. My father lost his money. 
Died penniless. I have Pansy to care for. If it wasn't for her, 
I would try to work my way through the two years. 

Ethel. Sybil, we have something in mind by which we 
think you could finish up and at the same time earn consider- 
able. If we can materialize our plan will you consider coming 
back to Hereford ? 

Sybil. Girls, I have tried for something in which there is a 
good deal of money. If I win, I will consider your plan. If I 
don't win, I can't consider it for a minute. 
Bea. When will you know ? 
Sybil. In a few days, I think. 
Ethel. And we will know in a few days, too. 
Bea. By Valentine's Day. Sybil, will you come to tea 
with us on that day and talk it over ? 
Sybil. At Dent's ? 
Bea. Yes. Will you, Sybil ? 

Sybil {slowly). Yes, I will come, but you don't know how 
hard it will be. 

^ Ethel (rising). We will make it easy for you. Come late 
in the afternoon and you probably won't see a girl you know. 

Sybil. Thank you. I do appreciate all that you have been 
to me all these months. Must you go ? 



8 CUPID*S PARTNER 

Ethel. Yes, it's getting la^. 

Bea. You won't fail to come, Sybil? 

Sybil. No; I have promised you. 

Enter Eva Mulcahey. She is very pretty y and she wears a 
large amount of very light false hair. Her clothes are 
cheap but in the very latest extreme fashion. 

Eva. Oh, excuse me. 

Sybil. That's all right, Eva. Come in. 

Ethel. We are just going. 

Bea^ [ {^^S^^^^^)' Good-night, Sybil. 

Sybil. Good-night ! [Exennt Bea. and Ethel, c. 

Eva. Ain't she a swell looker ? Were they in your class ? 

Sybil. Yes. 

Eva. Say, Sybil, it's a shame you ain't still in college ! 
You ain't fit to be slavin' for a livin' any more'n I am. Be- 
lieve me, we was born for somethin* higher. I ain't goin' to 
work at Heckler's much longer. That reminds me, have you 
got those hearts done? 

Sybil {goifig to the table). Yes, here they are in this box. 

Eva. That's good. I'll take them down in the morning. 
Mr. Donnely has been over to my counter and asked for them 
five times, and honest to goodness, Sybil, he's talked one-half 
hour every time, and me tryin' to wait on folks ! And what 
do you suppose? He said when he was talkin' to me I didn't 
have to wait on nobody. The nerve of him ! You'd think he 
managed the whole store instead of jest our department. My 

face gets as red as anything and he says {Giggles.) 

Goodness, Sybil, I couldn't tell you the foolish things he says. 
And oh, Sybil, wait till I tell you ! Augustus got changed to 
floor-walker in our department to-day and he saw Mr. Donnely 
talking to me, and oh, gee ! Say, to-night when we walked up 
if he didn't give me an earache ! 

Enter Pansy. 

Sybil. Does your mother know he walked up with you ? 

Eva. Weil, not so you'd notice it ! Now, don't go to 
looking at me like that, Sybil. Ma's so unreasonable ! There 
ain't a thing the matter with Gus. He's a perfect gentleman. 
Why are you all so dead against me? 

Sybil. We aren't, dear. We are right for you. We love 
you too well to see you throw yourself away, that's all. Better 



CUPID S PARTNER g 

listen to your mother. It's safest. I must go up-stairs I 
have lots of thmgs to do. Pansy, are you going to wait for 
Mrs. Freeland ? 
Pansy. Yes. 

Sybil. Well, don't wait too long. I don't like to have you 
up late. ^ 

Pansy. AH right. ^ C^;.// Sybil. 

Eva. Your sister is too sweet for anything, Pansy, but she's 
as bad a fusser as ma is. 

Mrs. Mulcahey {outside). Mrs. Freelind, are yez in ? 
- Pansy {going to the door). No, she isn't, Mrs. Mulcahey. 

Mrs. M. {entering). Is it alone yez are, yer blissid youn? 
one? J 3 

Pansy. No'm, Eva is here. 

Mrs. M. {to Eva). Sure, that's right. It's here yez are, 
darlmt. An is it tired out yez are, entoirely? Sure, an' don't 
I wish yez nivir had to put a foot inter that dratted shtore. 
Sure, I nivir saw sich a house fer workers in me loife Eviry 
one tryin' ter kill thimselves. There's me own girl, an' mesilf 
an' Miss Sybil, an' Miss Austin, an' look at the hour it's 
gittiii' an' Miss Freelind ain't in yit ! 

Dandelion MuGG (^///j/^^). Miss Eva! Oh, Miss Ev-a-a-a ' 

Mrs. M. Will yez listen to that? {Goes to door.) What 
IS It yez after wantin' ? Come in an' shtop yellin' ! (Dan. 
enters. She is about fourteen, has fiery red hair and a voice 
which could be heard at a long distance. She has a letter in 
each hand. When she sees Mrs. M. she puts one hand behind 
her.) What is it yez wants ? 

Dan. I — er— I— er — I— er— forget. 

Mrs. M. If that ain't like yez ! Ye'll be sendin' me to the 
asylum before yez gets through. What is it yez holdin' behind 
yez? 

Dan. Er— oh {holding out letter), it's for Miss Sybil. 

Mrs. M. Behi?id yez, I said. 

Dan. Nothin' ! 

Mrs. M. Nothin', is it ? I'll be after seein'. 

{Starts for Dan.) 
Dan. {desperately). Here ! Take it ! 

(Tries to get the letter to Eva before Mrs. M. gets it.) 
'^^p^ {springing forward). Forme? 



10 CUPIDS PARTNER 

Mrs. M. Hould on ! (6^^/j- ilie letter away from Dan.) 
So tliat's it ! 'a missage from Augustus, is it ? 

Eva. Let me have it ! 

Mrs. M. Indade an' 1 will whin I've seen what's in it. 
{To Dan.) An' you, yez good-fer-nothin' young hathern, 
that I took out of a 'syluui, an' hev been father an' mother to, 
an' sint yez to school, an* fed yez, an' clothed yez, ye're jist the 
one ter turn on me an' be after takin' sides wid me good-fer- 
nothin' darter. Go on up-stairs an' give Miss Sybil her letter, 
fer it's that hard fer me ter kape me hands off yez. 

(Dan. exits in haste. Pansy stands at one side, her doll 
clasped tightly in her arms, and regards them in horrified 
silence.^ 

Eva. That's my letter. You have no right to read it ! 

Mrs. M. Is that so? Will, we'll see about thet. I can't 
believe me own eyes, whin I see me darter an' a girl wid the 
face an' style yez got, takin' up wid thet little rid-head thet 
squints in his lift eye. Whin I'se think of yer father an' the 
handsome man he wuz an' thet full of sentimint ! 

Eva. Oh, fiddlesticks ! [Exit, c. 

Mrs, M. {beginning to weep). Oh, ter think it would come 
ter this ! 

Pansy (rimning over to her). Oh, Mrs. Mulcahey, don't 
cry ! Please don't ! 

Mrs. M. {still weeping). Yez blissid young one ! 

Enter Mrs. Freeland, c. 

Mrs. F. Why, what in the w^orld is going on in my room ? 

Pansy. Oh, Mrs. Freeland, poor Mrs. Mulcahey feels ter- 
rible because Eva got a letter from Augustus. 

Mrs. M. It's broken-hearted I am entoirely, Mrs. Freelind ! 
Thet girl Pve slaved an' worked fer an' loved an' cherished, 
an' her father a handsome man an' full of sentimint, an' she 
takin' up wid a little puppy like Augustus Johnsin' an* gittin* 
letters behind me back ! 

Mrs. F. {putting her hand on Mrs. M.'s shoulder). You 
mustn't be too hard on Eva. She is young, and this is her 
first fancy. She will get over it soon and see how foolish 
she has been. She is too sensible a girl to marry a good- 
for-nothing man. I wouldn't pay too much attention to it. 
She 



CUPIDS PARTNER II 

Dan. {outside), Mrs. Mulcahey, Mrs. Mulcahey ! Did Mrs. 
Freeland coine in? {Enters.') Oh, you did? A customer 
wants to talk to you on the telephone. 

Mrs. F. All right. \^Exit Dan. 

Mrs. M. It's going down I'll be goin', too ! I wanted to 
talk wid yez but I'll come back later in the avenin'. 

\They exeunt. 

Pansy {draiving a lon^; breath). Now, Rosamund, you see 
how pufectly dreadful it is to be after breakin' your mother's 
heart ! You will never grow up like that, will you, dearest ? 

( Walks to the table. Places her doll on a chair 7iear the 
table. Sits down at the table.) 

Enter Dan. 

Dan. Hist I Pansy ! They're at it again ! Scrapping to 
beat the band. 

Pansy. Mrs. Mulcahey and Eva ? 

Dan. Yere ! {Laus^hs. ) 

Pansy. It's dreadful, Dandy ! I don't think you ought to 
look pleased. I can't think why you laugh. 

Dan. It's the limit to hear Mrs. Mulcahey going on about 
her husband being a handsome man and full of sentiment. A 
handsome man married to the Mrs. ! 

Pansy. But, Dandy, Mrs. Mulcahey feels turrible bad 
about it. 

Dan. She'll feel worse before she feels better. Say, Pansy, 
will you keep a secret if I tell it to you ? 

Pansy. Oh, yes ! I love secrets ! 

Dan. You won't blab? Honest Injun? 

Pansy. Why, Dandy, of course I won't ! Nobody tells 
secrets. 

Dan. I wish I thought so. I'll trust you, though. Eva 
and Augustus is going to run away. 

Pansy {horrified). Run away? 

Dan. Ye-er ! On Valentine's day at five o'clock. 

Pansy. Oh, Dandy ! Where are they going to run ? 

Dan. I don't know that part. He walks up with her every 
night as far as the corner. Believe me, the Mrs. don't know 
it ! Tuesday night I'd been to the store, and I walked along 
right behind them, and I heard him fixing it. They're going 
to meet on the corner of Rossomore Street and Broadway, and 
fly to parts unknown. He called Eva his little valentine. 



12 CUPIDS PARTNER 

Ain't that slushy? The man that's got more sentiment in him 
than Augustus will have to go ^me ! 

Pansy. OK, that's a dreadful secret, Dandy. I wish I 
hadn't promised not to tell. 

Dan. {alarmed). Well, you did ! You promised solemn ! 
You know you did ! 

Pansy. I know it, and I won't tell. Oh, Dandy, why 
don't you tell Mrs. Mulcahey ? 

Dan. Not me ! It ain't none of my business. {Discovers 
the hearts.) Gee, look at them ! 

Pansy. Ain't Ihey be-au-tiful? See, here's you. Dandy. 

Dan. Gee, it is ! {Delighted.) In a heart ! And here's 
Miss Sybil, herself ! 

Pansy. Yes, a sad heart. Oh, Dandy, I wish she wasn't a 
sad heart ! 

Dan. What makes her ? 

Pansy. I think it's because she lost her prince. 
. Dan. Her what ? 

Pansy. Her prince that she was going to marry. 

Dan. Honest Injun? Oh, gee ! Who was it? 

Pansy. His name was Prince Jardine, but Sybil called him 
<' Prince Charming." When papa lost his money, Prince's 
mother didn't want him to marry Sybil and she made lots 
of trouble. So Sybil has been a sad heart ever since. 

Dan. Ain't that a skin? 

Pansy. Who is St. Valumtime? Do you suppose he's any 
like St. Nicholas, and you could write and ask him for things ? 

Dan. Gee, I don't know. It might be. 

Mrs. M. {outside). Dandelion Mugg, will yez come down 
here and do yez work, or shall I be after comin' up there after 
yez? 

Pansy {fearfully). You really better go. 

Dan. I guess that's right. I had ! I'll see you later. 

[Exit. 

Pansy. Are you getting tired, Rosamund ? Well, you will 
have to wait a little while, 'cause I have some 'portant work 
to do. {Takes some paper and a pe?icil a7id begins to write.) 

"Dear St. {spelling the word) V-a-1-l-u-m-t-i-m-e " 

Ain't that a dreadful long name, Rosamund? *' Will you 
please tell Cupid to find my sister's prince and send him back 
to her, because she has been a sad-heart ever since he went 
away, and she is a be-au-tiful girl and works awful hard to take 
care of me. I am her little sister — Pansy Harlow. "^ — There, 



CUPID*S PARTNER 1 3 

Rosamund, we will put this in this heart and put it in this box 
that's going down to the tea-room. {Puts the note i?i a hearty 
and puts the heart back in the box.) Now I got one more to 
do, and then we will go up to bed, dearie. '' Dear St. Vall- 
um-time, will you please tell Cupid to be at the corner of Ros- 
so-more Street and Broadway on Val-um-times day at five 

o'clock. Cupid had better bring a handsome man full of " 

What was he to be full of, Rosamund ? Some kind of mint. 
Must have been peppermint. " A handsome man full of pep- 
permint, 'cause Eva Mul-ca-hey is going to run away with Au- 
gustus Johnson, and he has got red hair and squints in his left 
eye. Eva's mother feels awful bad 'cause a man like that can 
never make her daughter happy. Eva's eyes are straight and 
brown, and her hair is be-au-tiful. The front cost ninety-eight 
cents at the bargain counter. I forget how much the back 
cost. Your loving little friend, Pansy Harlow." Oh, ain't 
that dreadful hard work, Rosamund ? Now we'll put this in 
the box Eva's going to take, and St. Valumtime will tell Cupid 
to make us all happy. 

(Puts the note in the other box. There is a knock at the 
door. Pansy goes to the door.) 

Mrs. Jardine (stepping itito room). Is this Mrs. Freeland's 
room? 

Pansy. Yes'm. 

Mrs. J, Is she in ? 

Pansy. She's in the house. You sit down and I will tell 
her you are here. 

(Pansy takes her doll from the table and exits. Mrs. J. 
walks about the room^ regarding things curiously.) 

Enter Mrs. F. 

Mrs. F. Marion ! 

Mrs. J. Yes, Nancy ; I suppose you are surprised ? 

Mrs. F. Never more so. What has brought you here ? 
Nothing is wrong with 

Mrs. J. Helen? No. I saw your ad in the paper. I 
didn't know that you were doing dressmaking, and I hadn't any 
idea that you were in this place. 

Mrs. F. I have been here two years. I have a good busi- 
ness among the college girls. I can't quite understand why 
you looked me up. What brings you here ? 



14 CUPID S PARTNER 

Mrs. J. Can't you guess ? 

Mrs. F. 'No; I haven't tlie least idea. 

Mrs. J. {glancing cautiously toward the door). Helen. 
She is at college here. 

Mrs. F. {very fniich agitated). Helen ? In Hereford ? 

Mrs. J. Now, do control yourself, Nancy. She is here, 
and I am visiting her. I nearly fainted when I read your ad. 
I knew there was no way but to come and see you. Of course 
you can readily see that you must leave here right away. 

Mrs. F. Leave here? 

Mrs. J. Certainly. Don't you see how dangerous it is for 
you to stay here? If she should, see your **ad" or should 
hear of you from the other girls. Should find out that you 
are 

Mrs. F. {bitterly). Her mother / It would indeed be a 
dreadful thing. 

Mrs. J. You are going to be unreasonable. I was afraid 
you would be. 

Mrs. F. Unreasonable ? Do you know what you are ask- 
ing me to do ? Give up my business — my living ; establish 
myself in another place and run the risk of ever getting any- 
thing to do. When I gave Helen to you 1 didn't promise to 
efface myself from the earth. 

Mrs. J. If it's a question of money, I will see that you are 
supplied until you can build your business elsewhere. 

Mrs. F. You ? Do you think I would touch a half penny 
that belonged to you ? 

Mrs. J. I don't know why you should have such a feeling 
toward me, Nancy. Look at your surroundings and the way 
you have to work for a living, and you ought to be thankful 
that I influenced you to let us have Helen. 

Mrs. F. Thankful that you forced me to give up the only 
thing in the world I had to live for ? Marion, I have done my 
best to feel kindly toward you, but I can never forgive you for 
taking such an advantage of me. 

Mrs. J. Advantage of you ? 

Mrs. F. Yes, just that exactly ! I was only seventeen 
when I married your brother ; only nineteen when he died. 
Because he married me, you all cut him off. You thought I 
wasn't your equal, because there wasn't as much dishonest 
money in my family as there was in yours. When Harry died 
I was only a girl, penniless, i<\r from well, and half crazed with 
grief. What did you do ? Made me think I wasn't equal to 



CUPID S PARTNER I5 

caring for my child. Offered all the advantages of money and 
position. It was her father's family, so I gave her up to you 
and agreed never to let her know that I was living. 1 suppose 
that you have brought her up to think that 1 am dead ? 

Mks. J. Yes. Are you going to break your word and tell 
her the truth after all these years? 

Mrs. F. No. You have kept your agreement, and I will 
keep mine. 

Mrs. J. But if you stay here she will be sure to find out. 
She knows her mother's name and if she should see or hear the 
same name, she would certainly be curious and make inquiries. 
Nancy, she has had every advantage that could be given her. 
She is accomplished and wonderfully brilliant for a girl of her 
years. She is quite the popular girl of her class. At home she 
is a society favorite among the younger set. She is going with 
a young New Yorker, wealthy and of a very fine family. Don't 
you see what it would mean if she suddenly discovered any- 
thing? She — er — has some very peculiar ideas in regard to 
honor and duty. I don't know what she might be tempted to 
do. 

Mrs. F. Don't worry. She won't be tempted into doing 
anything through any fault of mine. I never shall stand in her 
way. Years ago through your influence I made a supreme 
sacrifice. The one you ask of me now is nothmg in compari- 
son. I will go away. I will try never to let you hear anything 
of me again. 

Mrs. J. That sounds a little more sensible. I thought I 
would 

Mrs. F. If you please, Marion, we will not talk of this any 
more. There is one question which I want to ask you and then 
will you be kind enough to go ? There never was a person 
born without a heart. I suppose even your cold nature is ca- 
pable of affection. Do you love my child ? 

Mrs. J. As if she were my own. 

Mrs. F. That is all. I am satisfied. 

Mrs. J. I suppose it is quite useless to make any overtures 
toward a friendly parting. 

Mrs. F. Quite. 

(Mrs. J. sfarfs to speak agaiuy hesitates^ turns away^ 
exits. Mrs. F. stands looking at door. Slight pause ; 
knock ; she doesnU move ; she starts as Muriel Austin 
enters.) 



i6 cupid's partner 

Muriel. I beg your pardon, Mrs. Freeland ; I'm looking for 
Sybil. I th9ught srhe was here. 

Mrs. F. {recovering with an efforf). No, she hasn't been 
here yet to-night. Won't you sit down, Muriel? 

Muriel. That was a customer of yours, I suppose, that I just 
passed in the hall. I thought for a minute that it was Mrs. 
Jardine, the aunt of a girl in my class. Of course I was mis- 
taken ? 

Mrs. F. Of course. Who is the girl ? 

Muriel. Her name is the same as yours. Freeland. Helen 
Freeland. {Looks at Mrs. F. a minute and then exclaims 
suddenly.') Why, Mrs. Freeland, she reminds me of you. I 
was trying to think to-day when she was talking to me who it 
was. It's you ! Isn't that funny ? 

Mrs. F. a coincidence surely. Do you see her often ? 

Muriel. I see her often enough but of course I don't know 
her very well. She has loads of money and dresses I Oh, such 
clothes ! 

Mrs. F. {struggling not to appear too much interested). Do 
you like her ? 

Muriel. I simply adore her. She came in the tea-room 
this afternoon with some seniors. I waited on them. Miss 
Freeland introduced me to them and told them I was in her 
class. Wasn't that lovely of her ? 

Mrs. F. Indeed it was ! Does she often go to the tea- 
room ? 

Muriel. Yes. Nearly ever afternoon. 

(Dan. knocks and enters without waiting for an invitation.) 

Dan. I thought you came in here. Miss Muriel. There was 
a young lady here this afternoon and she left a note for you. 

{Gives Muriel a note and exits.) 

Muriel {as she takes the note). Thank you, Dandy. 
{Opens note.) Why, Mrs. Freeland, she has been here this 
afternoon. 

Mrs. F. {startled). Who? Helen? Er— I mean Miss 
Freeland ? 

Muriel. Yes. In this room ! See, this is written on your 
pa]:)er. 

Mrs. F. {to herself as Muriel reads the note). Here, in this 
room ! 



CUPID S PARTNER 1 7 

Muriel. She wants to see me about something. I wonder 
what in the world it can be. 

Mrs. F. Muriel, if I go down to the tea-room some after- 
noon will you point this girl out to me, of course without let- 
ting her know anything about it ? I have a curiosity to see this 
girl with the same name as I. 

Muriel {laughing). Of course I will if you really want 
to see her. Why, Mrs. Freeland, you look as if it was a matter 
of life and death. 

Mrs. F. Do I ? Well, I'm always interested in you girls 
and your friends. Sometimes I think I have a place in my 
heart for every girl in the world. 

Muriel. I believe you have. I know there is one girl who 
is glad she has a place there. You have been so kind to me. 
I never would have had the courage to have kept on without 
you. Working your way through isn't as easy as it sounds. 
My own little mother up in New Hampshire blesses you from 
the bottom of her heart for all you have been to her girl. 

Mrs. F. I'm glad I have been a help to some girl. It 
makes life more worth the living. 

Muriel. Why don't you say some dozen girls? I couldn't 
begin to count the girls you have been a mother to, just in the 
few months I have known you. (Sybil enters,^ Here's one 
of your family now. Isn't that right, Sybil? 

Sybil. What is that ? 

Muriel. Aren't you one of Mrs. Freeland's daughters ? 

Sybil. Indeed I am. The most devoted of all. 

Muriel. Here, here ! I dispute your claim ! You don't 
love her any more than I do ! 

(They both put their arms around Mrs. F.) 

Mrs. F. Oh, girls, you can't understand what your love 
means to me ! 

Sybil. It's the other way to. You can't understand what 
your love means to us. Muriel, you look tired to death to- 
night. 

Muriel. I am. We had a dreadful time in the tea-room 
this afternoon. I walked miles and miles. I must go up-stairs 
and study a while. I am going to bed early, though. I can't 
help it if I don't shine in the class room to-morrow. Sybil, 
did you finish your valentines ? 

Sybil. Yes. {Goes to table,) This is the box for Miss 
Dent. 



i8 cupid's partner 

MuKiEL {taking the box). ^ All right. I will take it down 
to-morrow. 

Sybil. That's very kind of you. Won't it bother you? 

Muriel. Of course not. 1 know how you hate the tea- 
room. 

Sybil. Not the tea-room, dear. I love it just as much as I 
ever did. I dread to meet the girls. It's foolish, 1 know, and 
I will get over it in. time. I have chosen the right way and 
there must be no looking back. 

Muriel. Sybil, it's a perfect shame that 

Sybil. Don't, Muriel ! I can't stand any of that to-night. 

Muriel. All right. I won't I Good-night. 

{Throws a kiss to each of them as she goes out.) 

Mrs. F. That's a wonderful little girl, Sybil. 

Sybil. Indeed she is. Always bright and cheerful no mat- 
ter how things go. I wish I could say the same. I am as self- 
ish as I can be to bring my troubles to you. I kept up for 
Pansy's sake until she was in bed and then 1 just had to come 
down here. It seems to-night as if there was no silver lining to 
the cloud. It is black all the way through. 

Mrs. F. No, it isn't, Sybil. Such a thing was never 
known to be. What has happened, dear ? 

Sybil. My last hope. This came in the mail to-night. 

{Hatids her a slip of paper.) 

Mrs. F. {reading). " We regret that the design you sub- 
mitted in our recent art contest is unavailable to our purposes. 
We are returning the design under separate cover. Yours very 
truly, Courier Monthly'' My dear child, I'm so sorry. Of 
course it is a terrible disappointment. 

Sybil. That doesn't express it. I was sure of something 
from that. I have built so much on it. 

Mus. F. I'm afraid I'm somewhat to blame. I encouraged 
you too much. I was sure you would win. Your work was 
beautiful, Sybil. I don't care what they say ! 

Sybil. If they had even used the design it would be some- 
thing. Some encouragement, and might have led to other 
things, but you see it is useless. I guess I am a failure. I 
must try something else. I have Pansy to think of. 

Mrs. F. Does she know ? 

Sybil. Oh, yes I She has to know what is in the mail, 
good news or bad. 



cupid's partner 19 

Mrs. F. Of course she is disappointed. She was so sure 
you were going to win a prize. 

Sybil. I know it and I hated to tell her, but somehow she 
didn't seem to care very much. She said " Don't you care ! 
We're all going to be happy on Valentine's day," {Draivs 
her hafid quickly across her eyes.) Oh, I won't be weak, but 
it seems as if I couldn't stand it ! I have planned so many 
things 1 would do for her. Why — why couldn't I have been 
successful? Oh, Mrs. Freeland, I don't care who has won ; 
they couldn't have needed it as much as I do. 

Mrs. F. You don't know that, Sybil. It could have gone 
to some one who needed it a thousand times more than you do ! 
Some one without the youth and courage to make a second try. 
Perhaps it was best that success shouldn't come to you too 
soon. It might satisfy you, and keep you from making the 
greater effort. You know in your heart that you did good 
work, but this shows you that better can be done and you must 
do it. You feel to-night that it is useless to try again, but 
it will look differently in the morning, and this will spur 
you to a greater effort. Next time you will come nearer the 
goal. 

Sybil. Do you honestly think so ? 

Mrs. F. I know so. 

Sybil (drawifig a long breath). So do I now. Mrs. Free- 
land, did you ever have a daughter ? 

Mrs. F. {startled). Why do you ask such a question ? 

Sybil. Why, it seems as if you must be some girl's mother. 

(Mrs..F. takes a picture from a drawer.) 

Mrs. F. That was my daughter. I lost her before she was 
a year old. 

Sybil. And we lost our mother before Pansy was a year 
old. Mrs. Freeland, I think it was meant that we three should 
come together as we have. I feel as if we belonged to you and 
you belong to Pansy and me. 

Mrs. F. I have felt that way from the first, Sybil. 

Sybil. Have you ? Well, now we are all together we must 
never part. I must go back to Pansy. I had to come, and 
how much you have comforted me ! 

{Starts toward door. Goes hack. Throws her arms around 
Mrs. F. ; kisses her ; exits. Mrs. F. stands looking after 



20 CUPID*S PARTNER 

her a minute, then goes back to table and takes up picture 
of her child:) ' '^ 

Mrs F. {speaking to picture). Seventeen years ago for 
your sake 1 And now again for your sake 1 

CURTAIN 



I 



ACT II 

SCENE.— Japanese tea-room. May be easily arranged with 
small willow tables and chairs ; a Japanese screen around 
each table to shut off the view frotn the other tables. Room 
should be decorated with screeiis and fans and lanterns. 
One table should be near the fro?it at the extreme l. of 
stage; another at extreme r. Another table should be 
placed a little in the rear of table at r. and about half-ivay 
between r. and C. of stage. Three tables are all that are 
required for action of play ^ but screens may be placed in the 
background to indicate other tables. There should be an 
exit R. and ofie at L. c, supposed to be entrance from street. 
A cashier's desk at L., near this entrance. Arrange the 
stage so that this entra?ice may be plaifily seen from au- 
dience. Muriel, the extra Waitress, atid Cashier wear 
Japanese kimonos. 

( When the curtain rises ^ the room is in disorder and has 
the appearance of many having been there. Muriel and 
Waitress are clearing the tables and placing the chairs in 
position. Muriel should be at table near c. as Dan. 
enters. She sticks her head out the door and calls.) 

Dan. Oh, go chase yourself, Billy Henderson ! You're 
nothing but an insignificant little two- spot ! {Co?nes down 
frofit.') Gosh ! Hang ! Darn ! 

Muriel {coming from back of screeii). Why, Dandelion 
Mugg, aren't you ashamed of yourself? 

Dan. Ain't no one here, is ther? {Looks about.) 

Muriel. No, and it's a good thing there isn't. 

Dan. Well, then, I ain't ashamed if there's nobody here. 
I'd like to say swearier words than them ! You would if your 
hair was as red as mine, and your name was Dandelion Mugg. 
Gee, it's tough ! The kids at school call me "a dandy mug." 
Ain't that the limit? 

Muriel. Well, it isn't the nicest name that ever was, that's 
a fact. I'm afraid you'll have to stand it until you grow up 
and get married. Then you can change your name. 

21 



22 CUPID's partner 

Dan. Married ? Me ? Can that joke, Miss Austin. Do 
you suppose any fellow w3uld ever marry a red-headed mug, 
even if it was a dandy one ? 

Muriel {laughing). What would you like to have for a 
name ? 

Dan. Gwendolyn Isabella Montgomery. Ain't that some 
name ? I saw that in a peachy book of Miss Eva's that I was 
looking at. <* A Kiss in the Dark, or The Mystery of a Pair 
of Ruby Lips." But I don't know how in time he knew they 
were ruby if he kissed her in the dark ! Say, has Miss Eva 
been here this afternoon ? 

Muriel. No. 

Dan. Well, she's coming and I've got a message for her. 
{Looks behind screen.) Say, ain't this cute? I'd like to be 
swell enough to come in here for tea. I'd sit here {sitting 
down at table) and you would come up and say, "Ah, Miss 
Montgomery, what will you have this afternoon?" And I 
would look at you like this and say, *' Tea, of course. I simply 
can't exist at this hour without tea." And when you bring it, 
I'd take the cup this way, and curl my little finger up like 
this, and eat a sugary wafer without taking my white kids off, 
and 

Muriel. Oh, Dandy, come out in the kitchen and I will 
give you something more substantial than imaginary food. 

Dan. {?naking one Jump from chair, half-way to k. exit). 
I get you, Steve ! [They exeunt R. 

Enter Eva. 

Eva {to Waitress). I want to see Miss Austin. (Wait- 
ress exits R. Eva comes down fro7it ; she glances about 
uneasily ; is very nervous. She takes a letter from her coat 
pocket and stands looking at it rather doubtfully. Muriel 
enters.) Hello, Muriel ' Say, I ain't going up home to 
supper. Would you mind taking a note up to ma for me? 

Muriel. Why, certainly not ! I would be glad to do it 
for you. Dandy is here, though. She can take it earlier than 
I can. 

Eva {hastily). No ! I can't always trust her to do things 
right, an' this is somethin* special. 

Muriel. All right. I will take it. {Takes the note.) Do 
you want to see Dandy? She said she had a message for you. 

Eva. Yes, please ! {Calls after Muriel.) Say, any idea 
what time it is ? 



CUPID S PARTNER 23 

Muriel {from door). Quarter of five. Aren't you out of 
the store early ? 
Eva. Yes, rather. 

(Muriel exits. Slight pause. Dan. enters. She has a 
cookie ifi otie hand and a piece of chocolate frosted cake in 
the other. Her tnoiith is smeared with cJiocolate frosti?ig 
and she looks sublimely happy.) 

Dan. Hello ! Believe me, this is a swell joint down here ! 

Eva. Did you bring my bag ? 

Dan. No, I didn't ! 

Eva. Why not, you little 

Dan. {interrupting). 'Cause I ain't going to help you light 
out with Augustus Johnson. That's why ! 

Eva {thoroughly frightened, looking to r. and l.). What 
do you mean ? What are you talking about ? 

Dan. Oh, don't try the little innocent act, 'cause you don't 
know how. I know the whole thing. You're going to meet 
him at five on the corner of Rossomore Street and Broadway 
and fly to parts unknown. I'll bet you'll have lo fly back 
again, too ! Augustus Johnson couldn't support a mosquito. 

Eva {angrily). Have you told ma ? 

Dan. Nope ! I ain't no telltale, an* it's your own funeral, 
but you can have this from me and have it cheap, too ! You're 
meaner'n dirt to treat Mrs. Mulcahey this way. She thinks 
you're just it and she would lay down and die for you if you 
asked her to. She's worked hard to take care of you ever since 
I lived in your house, and that's five years. She's always told 
about your not having any pa to provide for you an' she must 
try to give you all the advantages she could. An' after she's 
pretty near worked herself to death for you, you throw her over 
for a little piker like Augustus. If he was half a man he would 
go and tell your ma that he wants to marry you. He wouldn't 
be teasing you to fly to parts unknown without telling her. 
As sure as you go, you'll wish you hadn't. 

Mrs. M. {at door). Good-night, Mrs. Flynn ! I'm that 
glad I met yez ! 

Dan. Lay low ! The Mrs. ! 

(Dan. and Eva ri/71 behind screen at l. Eva drops down 
into one of the chairs. Dan. stands on a chair and looks 
over top of screen. Mrs. M. enters and comes down 
front. Waitress comes forward,) 



24 CUPID S PARTNER 

Mrs. M. Sure,, it's a cimof tea I'll be afther bavin' fer I'm 
that dry afther travelin' me teet off in the shops. An' if Miss 
Austin is here I'd be pleased to see her. \_Exit Waitress, r. 

Eva. Where is she ? 

Dan. {softly). Right here. She's going to have some tea, 
an' she's asked for Miss Austin. 

(Mrs. M. goes to table c.) 

Eva {desperately). Muriel will give us away ! 
Dan. No, she won't ! I'll head her off ! 

(Mrs. M. pulls a chair forward* and sits 'With her back to 
Dan., but in plain sight.) 

E7iter Muriel, r., with tea. Goes to Mrs. M. 

Muriel. Why, it's you, Mrs. Mulcahey ! 
Mrs. M. Sure it is, darlint. 

( Takes the tea and looks down as she takes cream and sugar 
from the tray which Muriel holds for her. Dan. breaks 

off a piece of her cookie a?id throws it at Muriel, hitting 

her on the head. Muriel looks up in surprise. Dan. 
puts her finger to her lips and shakes her head and her 
fist. Muriel bites her lips to keep from laughing and 

nods slightly that she understands, then gives her attention 

to Mrs. M.) 

Muriel. Didn't you want anything but tea, Mrs. Mul- 
cahey ? 

Mrs. M. No, darlint, not a thing ! I'm too tired to eat 
entoirely, but I'm that dry. My mouth feels as if I'd shwal- 
lowed the feather dusther. 

{As Mrs. M. talks Dan. watches her over the top of the 
screen, making gestures and imitating her.) 

Muriel {looking at her bundles). You have been shopping ? 

Mrs. M. {talking loud enough for Eva to get the benefit of 
what she says). Sure I have thet, an' me feet feel like two 
fried oysters. Shure, it's bargains I've been gittin* this day. 
A hot-wather bottle for fifty-nine cints, an' a new fasthner to 
kape me waist down in front for nineteen. Shure, I need ihet 
bad. It's thet sthout I'm gittin' I risimble me own wash-tub. 
An' a new silk waist for Eva. Shure, me pore little girl works 



CUPID*S PARTNER 25 

thet hard all the time, an' no dad to buy anythin' fer her, 
though she hed a fome one onct, a handsome man, thet full of 
sentimint ! 

Muriel. You are very kind to Eva. 

Mrs. M. Shure, why wouldn't I be? She's all I've got, 
an' a swhate-faced little thing as iver walked out, if I am her 
own mither. 

(Mrs. M. stops talking to drink her tea.") 

Eva (in a low voice to Dan.). Oh, I'm going. I can't 
stand this ! 

Dan. {scornfully). Sneak, then! I have my opinion of 
you ! 

(Eva hurries around the screen to the left and exits unseen. 
Dan. watches her, then she steps doivnfrotn chair and sits 
. down^ then folds her arms and looks grim.) 

Mrs. M. {handing her cup to Muriel). It's goin' I'll be. 
I want to git down ter Fulton's before they close. I nade a new 
teakittle, an' they got thim adverthised for thirty-nine cints. 
(Pays Muriel.) Good-bye, darlint. 

Muriel. Good-bye. Come in again when you are down 
this way, won't you ? 

Mrs. M. Shure, that I will. [^Exit. 

(Muriel turns her money in to the Cashier. Dan. co7nes 
from behind screen.) 

Dan. Close shave ! 

Muriel. Did Eva go ? 

Dan. Yes. 

Muriel. Why didn't she want to see her mother? 

Dan. You will have to ask her. Guess I'll light out. 
(Starts for door and looks back.) Thanks, awfully, for that 
cake ! {^Exit, 

Enter Mrs. J. 

Mrs. J. (to Muriel). Has my niece been here? 

Muriel. Not yet, Mrs. Jardine. 

Mrs J. When she comes in, tell her I am here. (Muriel 
bows slightly. Mrs. J. goes to table at extreme r., and sits 
down. She opens a letter and reads it, then touches a little bell 
on the table. Waitress comes to table.) Tell that young 



26 Cupid's partner 

woman, Myriel, T believe )*ou call her, that I wish to speak to 
her. (Waitress speaks to Mukiel. She coi?ies to table. ~) I 
believe I understood that you are a college girl ? 

Muriel. Yes. 

Mrs. J. Do you know a girl in Hereford, or who has ever 
been in Hereford, by the name of Sybil Harlow? 

Muriel {trying to conceal her surprise"). Why — er — I 
think 1 have heard the name. I will inquire for you if you 
wish me to. 

Mrs. J. Do so, by all means. It is of greatest importance 
to me that 1 should find Miss Harlow^ 

(Muriel withdraws and fueets Helen as she enters.) 

Helen. Good -afternoon, Miss Austin. I received your 
note, and Tin going to try to run down to see you to-night. I 
expect to have something lovely to tell you. 

- Muriel. I'm glad it's to-night. I'm afraid I couldn't wait 
much longer. My curiosity is running away with me. Your 
aunt is waiting for you, Miss Freeland. 

Helen. Oh, is she? 

Muriel. Right here. {^Leads the way to table.') 

Helen. Oh, Aunt Marion, have I kept you waiting ? 

{Sits at table. ^ 

Mrs. J. No, I have only been here a minute. 

Helen. What shall we have ? 

Mrs. J. Nothing just yet. (Muriel withdraws.) Helen, 
it's the strangest thing that Sybil Harlow could drop off the 
face of the earth and no one know anything about her. It 
seems to me if you had made much of an effort that you could 
have located her. 

Helen. Aunt Marion, I hate to have you speak that way. 
I've done all I could do. She left college last spring when her 
father died. She sent for her things, and some of her class- 
mates sent them on to her. They thought of course she was 
coming back in the fall, but instead of that she moved from 
New York — you know that well enough — and no one knows 
where she went. Several of the faculty have tried to locate 
her, and any number of her classmates have tried. She was 
dearly loved here, and they would offer her any kind of a 
chance to work her way through. They don't understand that 
she had a reason for wanting to bury herself. 



cupid's partner 27 

Mrs. J. (Jmpatiejitly). I wasn't aware that she had. Dear 
me, Helen, you are the most uncomfortable girl about looking 
as well as speaking your thoughts. 

Helen. I should rather be honest with you, Aunt Marion, 
even if it isn't quite so polite, than to deceive you. 

Mrs. J. Of course you blame me, and always will, but I 
thought I was doing the best thing for Prince and Sybil, too ! 
It didn't seem to me that they were going to be happy under 
the altered circumstances. 

Helen. Oh, Aunt Marion, can't you ever see that happiness 
doesn't depend on money? 

Mrs. J. It goes a long ways, Helen. You would think so, 
too, if you didn't have any. You're as unworldly as a three 
year old child. I hoped that college would open your eyes a 
litde. 

Helen. It certainly has, but not exactly in the way you 
hoped for. 

Mrs. J. Well, if I am to blame I'm certainly paying the 
penalty. I had a letter from Prince's doctor this afternoon. 

Helen. Did you ? How is Cousin Prince ? 

Mrs. J. Not a bit better. Absolutely no change. There 
is only one thing in this world that will rouse him from this in- 
ertia, and that is Sybil Harlow. Helen, I'm going to hire a 
private detective to try to trace her from New York. I hate to 
air our affairs, but there's no other way, and we will keep as 
quiet about it as we can. 

Enter Bea. and Ethel. Muriel leads them to table c, and 
stands talking to them. 

Helen {sympathetically). Poor Aunt Marion ! I know 
you have suffered, and I am sorry for you from the bottom of 
my heart. 

Mrs. J. You're the best child that ever lived, Helen, in 
spite of your absurd ideas ! 

(Muriel comes to their table.) 

Muriel. Pardon me, Miss Freeland ; Miss Montfort and 
Miss Richards are asking for you. 

Helen. Oh, yes ! Aunt Marion, will you excuse me for a 
few minutes? I want to talk to these girls for a little while, 
and then I will bring them over here and we will all have tea 
together. 



28 cupid's partner 

Mrs. J. • I must beg to Be excused from that, Helen. This 
letter has upset me completely. I'm not myself to-day. I 
have one or two errands which I wish to do. (^Rises.^ I will 
come back for tea later. 

Helen. All right. (Mrs. J. exits. Helen goes to table 
c.) Oh, here you are, girls ! 

{She sits dowfi at table with Bea. ajid Ethel. She faces 
the l. of stage. Waitress co7nes to table.') 

Bea. Good -afternoon, Miss Freeland. 

Ethel. What shall we have? ' 

Helen. I'm afraid not anything for me. I'm to have tea 
with my aunt later. 

Bea. {smili7ig at the Waitress). And we are expecting a 
friend, so I think we will eat later on. 

(Waitress withdraivs.') 

Helen. Well, tell me your plan ! Have you succeeded ? 
I am dying to know everything ! 

Ethel. What an enthusiast you are ! 

Bea. We won't keep you in suspense any longer. We have 
succeeded, and the plan is this. You know the old Russell 
house that adjoins the Hereford grounds? 

Helen. The old house on Knapp Street ? 

Ethel. Yes. 

Bea. Well, we can lease that house. In time Hereford can 
probably buy it. Our idea is to turn it into a College Club 
House for freshmen. Put a girl in charge, use another as sec- 
retary, and several others as attendants and so forth. The sal- 
ary is good ; they have rooms and board free. They mingle 
with college girls all the time. They aren't overworked. In 
fact they have just the chance you want to give them. 

Helen. How perfectly grand for a few. It won't help 
many girls, though. 

Ethel {laughing). My goodness, we can't help every girl 
who is working her way through. We are lucky to be able to 
make it easier for a few. 

Bea. There's another place further dov/n on Knapp Street 
that we can do the same thing with. The faculty is more than 
pleased with the idea. They say if we start these and they are 
a success, it will be easy to start others. So you see in time we 
can give a chance to more than a few. 



cupid's partner 29 

Helen. It's perfectly grand. We poor little freshmen 
would never have thought up anything half so glorious. My 
little friend, Miss Austin, you will give her a chance? 

Ethel. Yes, indeed. We are going to make her secretary 
of Russell House. 

Helen. Oh, may I tell her now ? 

Ethel. Yes, if you like. 

(Helen touches the bell on table. Muriel comes to table.) 

Helen. We ought not to interrupt your work, Miss Austin, 
but you aren't very busy just now, are you ? 

Muriel. No, it's too late for many more, but I must have 
an eye out, for Bessie is working in the other room now. 

Helen. Well, you won't have to wait until night for your 
news. Miss Montfort will tell you now. 

Bea. It's only this, Muriel. The old Russell house is to 
be turned into a Freshman Club House, and we thought you 
might like the position of secretary. 

Is^iURiEsh (in astonishment). I? Secretary? 

Ethel. Yes. You are just fitted for it. 

Bea. It's a fair salary and room and board. 

Helen. I speak for the first chance at the new club. I'll 
move right in and we'll have more fun ! 

Ethel (Jo Muriel). Don't you like the idea ? 

Muriel (half laughing, half crying). Like it ? If you only 
knew ! 

Helen. There, you mustn't ! (Mrs. Y. enters.) I hear a 
customer and you must control yourself or you will pour the tea 
down her neck ! (Muriel withdraws.) Oh,, girls, I could go 
out on the housetops and shout, I'm so pleased. 

(They go on talking together. Muriel goes to Mrs. F.) 

Muriel. Oh, Mrs. Freeland, I'm so pleased to see you 
down here. 

Mrs. F. I thought I would come in for some tea. It will 
save my getting any supper when I go back to my room. 
(Tries to speak lightly.) I thought I might get a chance to see 
that little Freeland girl you told me about. 

Muriel (leading the way to table at\..). Well, you are just 
in time, and, oh, Mrs. Freeland, she's the dearest girl in the 
world! I have so much to tell you to-night. (Bell rings.) 
Oh, there's my bell from the kitchen. Excuse me a minute 



30 CUPID S PARTNER 

and I will come back and tak$ your order. Miss Freeland is at 
the next table, facing this way — blue suit and furs. 

(Muriel exits r. Mrs. F. moves her chair to a position 
where she can see Helen. Slowly lifts her head and 
looks at her daughter. She sits with her hands tightly 
clasped together watching her.') 

Helen. Girls, I have been so interested in my share in this 
affair I'm afraid I have been very selfish. Who are you going 
to put in charge of Russell House ? 

Bea. We can't tell you that part yet. We are not sure our- 
selves. 

Ethel. We have a friend in view who was unfortunate 
enough to be obliged to leave college. We think this is going 
to be a way for her to return. 

Helen. How perfectly splendid ! Of course she will grasp 
the opportunity. 

Ethel. We hope so. We are expecting her every minute 
and we are going to make her the offer. 

Enter Muriel. 

Helen. In that case, I had better leave you. {Rises. 
Sees Mrs. F. gazing at her, and looks at her indifferently. 
Mrs. F. hastily draws her chair back of screen and sits looking 
straight ahead of her. Helen to Muriel who is ofi her way 
to Mrs. F.) My aunt hasn't come back, has she? 

Muriel. Not yet. 

Helen. If she comes in, tell her to wait. I'll be right 
back, I'll see you later, girls. [Exit. 

Ethel Muriel, we expect Sybil. When she comes in 
bring her to this table, please. 

Bea. We are going to put her in charge of Russell House if 
she will take the position. 

Muriel. Not really ? 

Bea. Yes, if we have our way, it will be Sybil you will 
work for. 

Muriel. It will be as near heaven as I can ever get in this 
world. {Goes to Mrs. F.) What shall I bring you, Mrs. Free- 
land ? 

Mrs. F. I — er — oh, anything — anything at all. Tea-cakes 
— a sandwich. 



Cupid's partner 31 

(Muriel starts for w. exit. Sybil enters. She wears a 
heavy black veil. She looks about uneasily imtil she sees 
Muriel.) 

Sybil. Oh, Muriel, is any one waiting here for me? 

Muriel. Yes, right here. (JLeads the way to tab ley c.) 

Ethel. Hello, Sybil ! 

Bea. {joyfully). You did conae ! 

Sybil (^sitting dowti and throwing the veil back from her 
face). Of course. I promised. 

Ethel (Jo Muriel who is on her way to r. exit). Muriel, 
bring up tea and cakes, please. 

Muriel {calling back). All right. 

Sybil. Girls, I had hard work to keep my word with you. 
I didn't realize how hard it was going to be. 

Bea. Well, now you are here, forget that part of it, and 
listen to our plan. 

Sybil. Girls, it is useless for me to listen to anything. I 
failed in the effort I made. I mustn't think of college for a 
minute. I must work harder than ever to take care of Pansy. 

Ethel. Well, you are going to listen to us, Sybil, whether 
you want to or not. 

(Muriel serves Mrs. F., stands talking for a mi?tute and 
withdraius. Mrs. F. sits for a long time leaning her 
head on her hand, then begins to eat slowly as if forcifig 
the food down.) 

Bea. I think it will be worth your while to listen. We are 
going to open the old Russell House on Knapp Street, as a Col- 
lege Club House. The faculty will offer you the chance to take 
charge of that house if you will take the position. 

(Waitress serves them and zvithdraws.) 

Sybil {regarding the girls in astonishmefit until the Waitress 
withdraws). Why do you think the faculty will make me such 
an offer ? Have you told them I am here ? 

Bea. {reproachfully). Sybil ! 

Ethel. You know we wouldn't do a thing like that. We 
told Miss Beckworth that we were trying to locate you and if we 
succeeded could you have the chance ? 

Bea. And she said there was no girl in the world she would 
sooner have than you. Don't you see that you can take it ? 



32 Cupid's partner 

There is no reason in the world why you couldn't have Pansy 
there with you. Say that yau will, Sybil ! (Mrs. J. enters,) 
Of course she will. She wouldn't be so foolish as to throw 
over a chance like this ! 

Sybil. Oh, girls, 1 don't know what to say ! 

Mrs. J. {who has bee?i lookifig about). Young woman, have 
you any of those valentine hearts left ? The hand- painted 
ones ? Perhaps you remember that I purchased some the other 
day? 

Muriel. Yes, I remember. I believe there are a few left. 

Mrs. J. Bring me what you have. I would like one or two 
more. 

Muriel. Certainly. 

(Mrs. J. goes to table at extreme r. Muriel brmgs her a 
box. She begins to look the hearts over.') 

Sybil. I can't decide now, girls. I can't ! I do appreciate 
all that you have done to help me. I appreciate the honor. 1 
appreciate what a wonderful chance it is, but there's Pansy to 
think of ! I must have time to consider it. To see if it is 
really the best thing to do. If I was alone I would say yes 
right now. 

Bea. Will you decide soon ? 

Sybil. Yes. 

Ethel. This evening ? If we come up will you tell us yes 
or no? 

Sybil. Yes. {With a sigh.) I may as well make a quick 
decision and have it off my mind. 

(Muriel conies to table.) 

Muriel. Pardon me for interrupting you. Sybil, there's a 
Mrs. Jardine who was inquiring for you this afternoon. She is 
very anxious to find you. She is here now and 

Sybil {springing to her feet). Here? In this room ? 

Muriel. Yes, at the next table. Do you care to speak to 
her? 

Sybil. Not for all the world would I see her ! I must go 
at once. 

{Pulls the veil over her face and starts for door.) 
Bea. Wait ! We will come, too ! 



CUPID*S PARTNER 33 

(Ethel />ays Muriel and exits hastily with Sybil and Bea. 
Muriel turtis the money in at the desk, then statids talking 
to Cashier.) 

Mrs. J. (^looking over the box of hearts, finds a card ; 
reading^, "■ Mrs. Nancy Dent Freeland, dressmaker. Suits, 
coats, shirt-waists, gymnasium suits." (^Frowns, picks the 
cards out of box, takes up a heart, opens it ; a 7iote drops 
out. She looks surprised, takes up the note, reads.) '' Dear 
St. Val-um-time : Will you please tell Cupid to find my sister's 
prince and send him back to her, because she has been a sad 
heart ever since he went away, and she is a beautiful girl and 
works awful hard to take care of me. 1 am her little sister — 
Pansy Harlow." Harlow/ Yd^w^y Harloiv I {Hurries froin 
behind screen.) Young woman ! Young woman, come here ! 
(Muriel comes forward?) Do you know who painted these 
hearts ? 

Muriel {hesitating). Yes, I know. 

Mrs. J. Who? 

Muriel. I can't tell you. 

Mrs. J. {sharply). What do you mean? 

Muriel. I mean that I am not at liberty to give the young 
lady's name. 

Mrs. J. Oh ! Well— er — then, how could I give an order 
for her ? 

Muriel. Oh, that is easily accomplished. She rooms in 
the house with me. (Mrs. J. gives a satisfied '' Ah I'' to her- 
self.) I will take the order. 

Mrs. J. Oh, thank you. That will do nicely. I will see 
you about it later. {She starts to ivalk back to her table. 
Muriel exits r. Mrs. F. comes from her table to leave. She 
faces Mrs. J.) Nancy ! I thought you were going away. 

Mrs. F. {coldly). Did you think I could accomplish it in 
a day? 

Mrs. J. I am reminded of you on every side. Your cards ! 
{Shows her cards which she is holding in her hand.) A nice 
place to have them, where Helen comes almost daily. 

Mrs. F. I forgot those entirely. 

Mrs. J. Do you mind telling me when you are going^ to 
take your departure ? I would like to guard against having 
Helen run into you. 

Mrs. F. You need not worry. I leave to-morrow morning. 
I could not go sooner. I have work to finish. I have been 



34 



CUPID S PARTNER 



secretly packing up. I am ready with the exception of the last 
few things.^ No one knowspthat I am going, or will ever know 
where I have gone. 

Mrs. J. 1 am relieved to hear it, but I wish you would let 
me provide for you until you can find work. {Glattces un- 
easily at door.) I am expecting Helen. Dear me, Nancy, I 
can't imagine why you came here this afternoon ! 

Mrs. F. {defiantly). I came here to get one look at my 
daughter. For fifteen years I have longed to just look at her. 
First it was the little children I met. I scanned their faces to 
see if there was a look of Helen. Then it was the girls, and 
then the young ladies! And at last to-day I have seen my 
child ! 

Mrs. J. Hush ! For heaven's sake ! 

Enter Helen. Mrs. F. shrinks hack of screen. Helen 
co7nes forward. Mrs. J. tries to put cards into a small 
bag she is carrying. 

Helen. I have kept you waiting this time, I know. Why, 
how upset you look ! Has anything happened ? 

Mrs. J. Why, of course not ! Why should you think so? 
(Drops the cards.) There, how clumsy I am ! 

{She tries to stand on them all. Helen kneels to pick 
them up.) 

Helen. What have you dropped? Why, Aunt Marion, 
you are right on top of them ! I can't pick them up if you 
stand on them ! {Picks ofie up.) 

Mrs. J. They are of no consequence ! I was going to 
throw them away ! Don't bother ! 

{Tries to take card from Helen. Helen jumps to her feet 
and dances away, laughing.) 

Helen. I will see now, anyway ! 

Mrs. J. {desperately). Helen ! 

Helen {reading). ''Mrs. Nancy Dent Freeland, i6 Du- 

luth Street, dressmaker. Suits, coats " {Stops abruptly.) 

Nancy Dent Freeland? Why, that was my mother's name ! 

Mrs. J. Yes, I found those ! ( With a nervous laugh.) 
It's quite a funny coincidence, isn't it ? 

Helen {regarding her aunt steadily). Extremely ! 

Mrs. J. What's the matter with you ? 



CUPID S PARTNER 



35 



Helen. Nothing. The trouble is with you, I think. You 
are deceiving me about something. Your whole face and 
manner show it. Your actions showed it when I came in. 
When I wanted to read this card. I don't dare to think what 
this may mean (^looking at card'), but I'm going to find out. 

Mrs. J. What are you going to do ? 

Helen. I'm not sure, but {very slowly) I think I'm going 
to find my mother. \_Exit. 

Mrs. J. {stepping to screen where Mrs. F. is hiddeTi). You 
see ! It's just as I told you. I will keep her away from you 
to-night. You will surely go in the morning? 

Mrs. F. I will not wait until morning. I will go to-night ! 

(Mrs. J. hurries after Helen. Mrs. F. stands listefiing 
as her footsteps die aiaay, the7i she throws herself into a 
chair and drops her head forward on her arms on the 
table,) 



CURTAIN 



ACT III 

SCENE. — Same as in Act I. Pansy stands in front of her 
doll 7vho is propped up in a chair. She sings the chorus of 
a popular song beating time vigorously. 

Pansy. Rosamund, )'ou don't sing any better than you 
dance. I'm turribly discouraged. J don't believe you are 
talented at all. (Mrs. F. enters. , Pansy runs to her.) Oli, 
Mrs. Freeland, I'm so glad you have come in ! Sybil had to 
go out, too, and it gets awful lonesome when you both are 
away and I can't go. 

Mrs. F. {throwing off her coat, sitting do7vn and taking 
Pansy in her arms). Dear little girl, do you miss me so 
much ? 

Pansy. Of course I do ! Next to Sybil I loye you ! You 
are just like what a little girl's mamma ought to be. When I 
go out and see little girls with their mammas I always try to 
choose which one I would have for mine if I could, but I never 
see any half so nice as you. 

Mrs. F. Pansy, this belonged to my own little girl I lost 
so many years ago. {Takes a little gold chain from her bag 
and fastens it around Pansy's neck.) I want you to have it. 

Pansy {delighted, putting her hand up to the chain). Me ? 

Mrs. F. Yes, wear it all the time, and when you touch it 
you will think of me, won't you? {Holds her tight.) Oh, 
Pansy, you will never forget me, will you ? 

Pansy, Forget you ? How can I, when I am right with 
you a whole lots of the time? Don't you talk awful funny 
to-night, Mrs. Freeland? 

Mrs. F. Yes, I do. Pansy. I'm tired to-night. {Glances 
at table where some of Sybil's things are stre7vn about.) S)bil 
has been working here this afternoon ? 

Pansy. Yes'm. She was going to finish up when she came 
back. Are the things in your way? Do you want me to take 
them up-stairs? 

Mrs. F. No, darling. Nothing of Sybil's or yours is ever 
in my way. {Puts Pansy do7vn.) I have a letter to write 
now. 

36 



CUPID*S PARTNER 37 

Pansy. Have you? Rosamund and I will go up and set 
the table for Sybil, 'cause we have supper when she comes in, 
and then we shan't disturb you. 

Mrs. F. All right, dear. 

(Pansy exits. Mrs. F. sits dowft at table and writes 
rapidly, drawing her hand across her eyes several times 

" in a dazed way. She rises and exits r. She reenters 
with a traveling bag. She takes some papers frojn table 
drawer and puts them into her bag. She then takes sojne 
things from another drawer and puts them into her bag. 
She looks around as if ivondering if that was all. She 
searches for something in a drawer^ picks coat up, slips it 
on and exits, leaving her gloves a?id bag on a chair. 
Slight pause. Sybil enters.) 

Sybil. Pansy ! Pansy ! 

(A knock at door. Sybil answers. MiSS Hill enters.) 

Miss H. Is this Miss Harlow ? {SxBVLbows.) I was told 
I would find you in this room. 
Sybil. Won't you sit down? 

{She removes her own coat and sits down opposite Miss H.) 

Miss H. I am Miss Hill of the Courier Monthly. You 
submitted a design in our recent art contest ? 

Sybil. Yes. 

Miss H. You received a rejection slip ? 

Sybil. Yes. 

Miss H. Well, my dear Miss Harlow, I don't know how to 
apologize for the stupid mistake that was made. Your design 
won the second prize. A note to that effect was written to you 
and placed in the wrong envelope. It went out to the western 
part of the state instead of the rejection slip which was sent to 
you. We wondered why you didn't call as we asked yon to, 
and to-day when the letter to you was returned to us, we under- 
stoO'l. Mr. Courier has sent you a check for five hundred 
dollars {placing check on table) and wishes you to call at the 
office in regard to sonie work he wants you to do. I congratu- 
late you from the bottom of my heart, and you will forgive our 
blunder, won't you ? 

Sybil. Forgive? How can you speak that \vav? It's yon 
who will have to forgive me for I can't find anything to say. 



38 CUPID*S PARTNER 

I'm so surprised — so — so Oh, don't you understand? I 

thought my work was worthle'ss, and now to find 

Miss H. Yes, I do understand, and I'm going right along 
and leave you alone. You will recover, and by the time you 
come down to see Mr. Courier you will find plenty to say. 
Good-night ! I'm glad I could bring you a valentine. 

{^Exit Miss H. Sybil goes to table and picks up check.) 

Sybil. Oh-o-o 0-0 ! Five hundred dollars ! Second prize ! 

Dan. (outside, at the top of her voice). Miss Sybil ! Oh, 
Miss Sybil ! Are you in. Miss Sybil ? . 

Sybil. Yes, I'm here! {Goes ' to door.) Come in and 
stop screaming. What in the world is the matter ? 

E?iter Dan. 

Dan. I'll tell you, and then I'm going away and die, 'cause 
it's all my fault ! 

Sybil. What is your fault ? What are you talking about ? 

Dan. Augustus and Miss Eva. 

Sybil. Well, what about them ? 

Dan. They've flew de coop ! 

Sybil. They've what? 

Dan. Vamoosed ! Skeedooed ! What is it you call it ? 
Eloped ! 

Sybil {sternly). Dandy, do you know what you are talking 
about ? 

Dan. Yas'um ! I wish I didn't ! I knew they was going, 
an' I never told no one, and I oughter ! 

Sybil. Of course you had ! {Starts for door.) Mrs. Mul- 
cahey ! 

Dan. She ain't here ! She's down to Fulton's buying a 
new teakettle. 

Sybil {grabbing up her coat). Then I shall have to do the 
best I can. Tell me all you know ! 

Dan. They was to meet on the corner of Rossomore Street 
and Broadway at five o'clock, and fly to parts unknown ! 

Sybil. Five o'clock ! They've had time to get to parts un- 
known and back again by this time ! It's probably useless for 
me to go down there, but I'll have to see what I can do. Don't 
you realize what you've done? 

Dan. Yas'um 1 Oh, I wish I was dead already ! 

{Cries at the top of her voice.) 



Cupid's partner 39 

Eva (outside). Sybil ! Oh, Sybil ! 
Sybil. Husli that noise, Dandy ! Listen ! 
Eva {outside). Sybil ! 
Dan. (dramatically). It's her ! 

Enter Eva. 

Sybil. Oh, Eva, I'm so relieved to see you ! 

Eva {dropping into a chair). Sybil, oh, Sybil, I'm so ex- 
cited ! Fm that upset ! Oh, you can't think what's hap- 
pened ! Oh, gee, I haven't any breath ! Sybil, you'll think 
I'm simply awful ; but I got to tell some one or die, and I'd 
rather tell you than any one on earth. Sybil, I promised Au- 
gustus that I'd elope with him this afternoon at five. 

Sybil. Eva, are you crazy ? 

Eva. I was, but I got over it all right. I went in the tea- 
room to give Muriel a note for ma to tell her I'd gone, when 
who comes in but ma herself. She didn't see me, and I man- 
aged to get away ; but when I was a-goin' down Broadway I 
got to thinkin' how much she's always done fer me, an' how 
hard she's worked ever since pa died, and honest, Sybil, I do 
love ma, after all. Well, by the time I gets to Rossomore 
Street, I decided I wouldn't go. Augustus was waitin', and he 
didn't like it any too well 'cause I was late, and when I told 
him I wasn't goin' ! Say, Sybil, you never heard sech scand'- 
lous langwige in your life ! I jest woke up right then to the 
kind of a fellow he really is. He grabbed me by the wrist and 
was going to pull me right along, when right out of a dark 
doorway comes Mr. Donnely ! 

Dan. {who has been sitting on the edge of a chair listening 
with breathless interest, falls out of chair). Gosh ! 

Eva. I don't wonder you're surprised. I screamed right 
out and nearly fainted, and Mr. Donnely grabs Augustus by 
the collar and he shook his fist right under his nose, and Au- 
gustus shriveled like a shrimp. You'd oughter hearn Mr. Don- 
nely talk. It was something grand ! Augustus will never dare 
to look at me cross-eyed again. Mr. Donnely brought me 
home, and he didn't stop at the lower corner neither ; he came 
right up to the door. He says I need to have a real man to 
look out for me, and he's coming up to-night to see ma and ask 
her if she's any objection to his callin' on me. Ain't he grand ? 
Ma will throw a fit ! Say, my heart's pumping like a church 
organ, and I can't scarcely breathe. I'm going up-stairs and 
put on my best shirt-waist and a band on my hair. Say, how 



40 CUPID S PARTNER 

do you suppose be, ever knew about my running away witb Au- 
gustus? I begged him to tell me, but he wouldn't. He said 
to remember that this is Valentine's day, that Cupid's partner 
writ liiin a letter. What do you suppose he meant? 

Sybil. I haven't the least idea, but I'm very glad it has 
turned out this way. 

Eva. Gee ! So'm 1 1 I was nuts for fair to want anything 
of Augustus. 

Dan. You ain't mad at me, are you. Miss Eva? 

Eva. No, I ain't, Dandy ! You got more sense in your 
head in a minute than I've had in mine all my life. It was you 
set me to thinkin' in the first place. Come on up-stairs with 
me and see what I got for you. 

Dan. {^jumping up). I get you, Steve ! \They exeunt, 

Sybil \looking after them). Gracious ! (^Goes to table and 

finds Mrs. F.'s letter.) Why— what {Reads.) "My 

dearest Sybil." {Turns it over quickly and reads.) "Nancy 
Dent Freeland." {Thoroughly surprised she sits down at ta- 
ble and reads letter. ) " My dearest Sybil, — I have tried to go 
away without one word to you, but I can't do it. My heart is 
breaking and I must tell to you what I have never told to any 
one before. My baby whose picture I showed to you one night 
not long ago is living. She is a beautiful young girl. I saw 
her to-day and it seemed as if I must cry out to her that I was 
her mother and hold her in my arms just for a minute. She 
does not know that I am living and must never know, and so I 
must go. She lives in a different world from mine, and I must 
never stand in her way. When her father died I was just a girl 
and ill, and could see no way of caring for her, and so through 
the influence of her father's people I gave her up. Oh, Sybil, 
if you only knew what I have suffered for that act. Then, when 
you came here it seemed to me that you were sent to me, and I 
really had a girl of my own. And now I must lose you, 

too " ( Without finishing the letter, Sybil springs to her 

feet and rushes to door r.) Mrs. Freeland ! Oh! Gone? 
{Turns and sees her bag on the chair.') No ! {Runs to door 
c.) Mrs. Mulcahey ! Eva ! (Helen enters.) Oh, pardon 
—Helen ! 

Helen {greatly excited). Sybil ! Sybil Harlow 1 Surely 
you will speak to tne. You can't have any feeling against me ! 

Sybil. No, no, Helen ! I never did. 

(Helen throws her arms around her.) 



CUPID*S PARTNER 4I 

Helen. Sybil, is this where you have hidden yourself all 
these months? Why did you do it? Don't you know the ef- 
fort that has been made to find you ? 

Sybil. No. Why should you wish to find me ? 

Helen. Why should I ? Because I love you with all my 
heart and soul, and always did. But that is not why such an 
effort was made. It was because of Prince. 

Sybil {trying to be indifferent). What of him ? 

Helen. Sybil, when he came home from that western trip 
and found that you were gone, and that his mother was the 
cause of it, we had a truly dreadful time. Aunt Marion wor- 
ships him, and he turned from her completely. He left our 
home and tried to move heaven and earth to find you. Aunt 
Marion thought he would get over it, see it was for the best and 
so forth, but she wasn't very long in discovering her mistake. 
Prince went south on a business trip, and there he had a serious 
illness. 

Sybil. Illness? In the south? Alone? Where is he now ? 
Is he better ? 

Helen. He is still in the south. The dreadful fever has 
gone, but he is in a terrible condition. All through his illness 
he raved for you, and now the doctor says you are the only 
thing that can save him. Aunt Marion has been down there 
four times, and Prince won't even see her. {Bitterly?) Money 
doesn't count now, Sybil. Aunt Marion will go down on her 
knees to you to get you into our family. I'm afraid I feel rather 
bitter toward Aunt Marion to night. I have something to set- 
tle on my own account. Sybil, is this your room ? 

Sybil. No, it is Mrs. Freeland's room, but 

Helen. Nancy Dent Freeland ? 

Sybil. Yes. 

Helen, That was my mother's name. Sybil, I believe this 
is my mother's room. 

Sybil {looking at her in wonder). Then you are the girl 1 
Helen, you are just in time ! Here ! Read this ! {Hands her 
the letter.) It is your right. 

Hrlen {reading the letter). Oh, Sybil, are you sure she 
hasn't gone? 

Sybil. Yes. Her bag is still here. 

Helen {looking at the letter again). Going for my sake, so 
that she might never be in my way. 

Sybil. As if such a thing could be ! Helen, I envy you. 
I wish she was my mother. She is one to be proud of. 



42 cupid's partner 

Helen. She probably will be in soon. Sybil, do you mind 
if I meet her. alone? ^ 

Sybil. Of course not ! I will go up to my room. Pansy 
must think I am never coming. 

(^ExitSt clearing her things from table and taking them with 
her,) 

Helen. I will call you later. 
Sybil {calling back). All right. 

(Helen looks about uncertainly. Removes her hat and 
coat and takes them to roofn r. • When she retur?is she 
has a kettle over an alcohol burner. She removes some 
papers from table ; finds a cloth in the drawer ; spreads 
it over table ; puts oti Sybil's apron which hangs over 
back of a chair ; lights the alcohol lamp under kettle ; 
finds some dishes ; is standing with her back to the door 
arranging the dishes when Mrs. F. enters.) 

Mrs. F. Why, Sybil 

Helen (Jurfiifig). No, not Sybil, but your own girl. 
Aren't you going to greet me after all these years? There is 
no use in your denying, even for my sake. I have read your 
note to Sybil. I know the truth. Are you going to make me 
sorry that I came? I thought your arms were waiting for me. 

{Holds out her arms to her mother.) 

Mrs. F. {suddenly rushing forward and takhig her in her 
arms). Helen ! Helen ! It can't be true ! 

Helen. Yes, it is perfectly true ! I'm a great big valen- 
tine. 

Mrs. F. Oh, Helen ! This is wrong for me to do this. 

Helen {leading her to a chair and kneeling down by her). 
No, it isn't. Listen, dear, and I am going to tell you some- 
thing that even Aunt Marion doesn't know. When my grand- 
father had his last illness and knew that he wasn't going to 
live, he told me one day when we were alone that his family 
once did my mother a great wrong. He said if I knew what it 
was I would hate them all. He told me then that he was going 
to leave his money to me and he wanted me to make every one 
I met as happy as I could to atone for the wrong he had done 
my mother. Don't you suppose he would be pleased to know 
that I have found my mother and can make her happy ? And 



CUPID*S PARTNER 43 

what about myself? Don't you suppose that 1 have wanted a 
mother like other girls? Don't you suppose I have made my- 
self happy to find a mother like you ? 

Enter Mrs. J. 

Mrs. J. Helen ! , . . r i. 

Helen {rising). Yes, I am here and everythmg is my fault. 
You mustn't blame my mother at all. See ! {Poiiits to bag,) 
Her bag was all packed and she was going away. I was just 
in time. . 

Mrs. F. It is my fault. I shouldn't have waited. 1 
should have gone when you first came to me. 

Mrs. J. It is rather late to speak of that. ^ I suppose, 
Helen, you are going to be ridiculous over this in your dra- 
matic way. 

Mrs. F. Marion, I will not stand in the way. I am going 
just as I planned. I gave Helen to you and she is yours. The 
memory of these few minutes will last me the rest of my life. 

Helen. Do you think I have found my mother only to lose 
her again ? Here you stay, and I stay, too 1 

Mrs. J. I suppose I have failed in caring for you all these 

years ? ,r , j 

Helen. No, you haven't, Aunt Marion. You have done 
everything you could do and I appreciate it. You don't quite 
understand the difference but I do. You have been Prince's 
mother, but you have been my aunt. But, Aunt Marion, I can 
make up to you for all you have ever done for me. 1 have 
found Sybil Harlow. . 

Mrs. J. {eagerly). You have seen her? That is what 
brought me here to-night. I discovered to-day that she is 
here. What does she say ? 

Helen. I will call her and you can see for yourself, or per- 
haps you would rather go up to her room ? 

Mrs. T. No, call her. It is all in the family. 

^ \_Exit Helen. 

Mrs. F. Marion 

Mrs. J. Oh, let's not discuss anything more, Nancy, i 
suppose we can at least pretend friendship for Helen's sake. 
Mrs. F. I could go a great deal further than that for 

Mrs. J. I guess there's no question as to that. {Enter 
Helen with Sybil atid Pansy.) Sybil ! 

Sybil {coldly). How do you do, Mrs. Jardine ? 



44 CUPID S PARTNER 

Mrs. J. Sybil, I have been trying for several months to find 
you and now that I have succeeded I don't know how to say 
what I haVe been waiting to say. Sybil, I was wrong and I 
know that it will be hard for you to forgive me but for my son's 
sake, I ask it of you. He once asked you to enter our family 
and you agreed. It was I who made the trouble. Now I ask 
you. Will you marry my son ? 

Sybil. Mrs. Jardine, do you think this world moves at your 
word of command ? Do you know what you are asking me to 
give up ? To-day my prospects are bright for a successful 
career as an artist, the work that 1 love. 

Mrs. J. You can paint all you want to, Sybil. No one 
will say a word against it. 

Sybil. To-day members of my class have offered me a 
position in Hereford, not only of honor, but by which I can 
support Pansy and at the same time finish my college course. 
They are coming for an answer to-night and I have decided to 
accept. 

Mrs. J. All that you want in the world shall be yours ! 
Nothing that money can buy 

Sybil. Mrs. Jardine, haven't you yet learned that money 
counts for little when 

Helen {ifiterrupting). Sybil, be a little bit merciful. It is 
her son, remember ! Your answer means almost life or death 
to Prince. 

Pansy {who has beeft trying hard to understand, looks up 
delighted at the word " Prince "). Oh, Sybil, has Cupid sent 
your prince back to you? I'm so glad ! Now you won't be a 
sad heart any more. 

Enter Bea., Ethel and Muriel. 

Ethel. Oh, pardon me 

Sybil. Come in, girls ! 

Ethel. How do you do, Mrs. Jardine? 

Helen. Girls, this is my mother. 

Muriel {running to Mrs. F.). Not really ? 

(Bea. and Ethel shake hafids with Mrs. F., trying not to 
show their surprise.) 

Bea. I'm afraid we intrude. We just came up for your 
answer, Sybil. We were so anxious we couldn't wait. Will 
you take Russell House ? 



CUPID*S PARTNER 45 

Muriel. Oh, will you, Sybil ? 

Sybil. I can't, dear. {To Bea.) You will have to find 
some other girl who needs it. 1 have something else I am going 
to do instead. 

Muriel. Oh, Sybil, why can't you take it ? 

Ethel. That's what I should like to know ? 

Bea. What are you going to do, Sybil ? 

Sybil. I am going to be married. 

Girls. Married ? 

Sybil. Yes, girls. To Mrs. Jardine's son. 

(Mrs. J. goes to Sybil and puts her arm around her, Sybil 
subitiits somewhat against her will. ) 

Girls {surrounding Sybil). What a surprise ! In that case 
we haven't anything more to say. 

Helen. Girls, my mother and I were going to have tea. 
Won't you join us? We will have an engagement luncheon, 
although I don't know how much of an affair it will be. 

{Glances doubtfully at table.) 

Mrs. J. {quickly). Let me settle that ! I will just step 
down-stairs and telephone to the nearest caterer. \^Exit. 

Helen {leading the way to r. exit). Come in here and 
take your things off, girls. 
. Ethel. All right, we will have to stay. We can't resist. 

Bea. Come, Muriel ! Never mind what you ought to be 
doing ! We celebrate to-night. 

( Girls exeunt followed by Mrs. F. who takes her bag from 
chair and takes it with her.') 

Mrs. M. {outside). Mrs. Freelind ! Sybil ! Is it in yez 
are ? {Enters.) Hev yez seen anythin' of me darter Eva to- 
night ? 

Sybil. Yes, she was in here. She is up in her room, I 
think. 

Mrs. M. Thank hevin ! I wuz jest goin' up ter look if she 
wuz in an' I wuz thet scared ter look. I met Mrs. O'Flynn and 
she wuz afther tillin' me thet she saw me darter an' Augustus 
on the corner uv Roosshmore Strate, an' she heard thim sayin' 
somethin' about flyin' to parts unknown ! 

Sybil. Perfect nonsense, Mrs. Mulcahey. Here's Eva now. 



46 cupid's partner 

Enter Eva. 



^^ 



Eva. Hello, ma ! Did you get your teakettle ? 

Mrs. M. Shure, thet I did, darlint, an' sech a bargain ! 

Eva. Mr. Donnely sent Pansy a box. I was so excited I 
forgot to tell you. 

Pansy. Sent me a box ? 

Eva. Yes, honey. {Gives the box to Pansy.) 

Sybil. That was very kind of him, Eva. 

Eva. Sure, he's like that. Come on down-stairs, ma. 
I'm just dyin' ter tell you somethin'. 

Mrs. M. All right, darlint ! [They exeunt. 

Enter girls and Mrs. F. Mrs. J. enters. 

Mrs. J. We will have something to eat right away. 

(Mrs. F. makes the tea. The others gather around Pansy 
who is opening her box.) 

Bea. Got a valentine, Pansy ? 

Pansy. I guess so. {Opens box.) Oh-o-o-o ! Look! 

Ethel. Um ! Chocolates ! Aren't you the lucky girl? 

Muriel. All peppermints, too ! How odd ! 

Helen. Here's a note. 

Sybil. Shall I read it to you, dear ? 

Pansy. Yes. 

Sybil (reading). "Dear little partner, — The handsome 
man was so full of thanks to you that there wasn't any room for 
peppermint, so he has sent the peppermint to you. Cupid." 

Muriel. Well, for goodness' sake ! 

Ethel. Do you know what that means, Pansy? 

Pansy {smiling happily). Yes. 

Sybil (in surprise). You do ? 

Pansy. Yes. It's a secret 'tween me and Cupid. I told 
you we would all be happy on Valumtime's day. 

Bea. You little witch ! I believe you are in partnership 
with Cupid. 

Mrs- J. (smiling at Pansy). I am sure she is. If I had 
only known she was Sybil's sister the first time I came here, 
things might have been straightened out a good deal sooner. 

Helen. The tea is ready, girls. I propose we drink a 
toast while we wait for Aunt Marion's feast to arrive. 

Sybil. All right. What shall it be, Helen ? 



CUPID S PARTNER 47 

{All gather around table. Helen stands Pansy on a chair 
at the back of table, then she takes a cup and holds it 
toward Fansy.) 

Helen. Cupid's Partner ! 

Bea. Right ! Now, all together ! 

All. Cupid's Partner ! 

(They stand around the table, their cups held toward Pansy 
as the curtain falls.) 



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THE MISHAPS OF MINERVA 

A Farce in Two Acts 
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Five males, eight females. Costumes, modern ; scene, an interior. Plays 
one and a half hours. An exceptionally bright and amusing little play of 
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CHARACTERS 
Mortimer J. Sterling, an easy-going business man. 
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A Comedy in Two Acts 

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Costumes, modern ; scene, a single interior. Plays a full evening. 



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